Previews

Game of Thrones Season 5 Episode 9 Preview: The Dance of Dragons

Posted on by Geoffery

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“If a man knows what he is, he must fulfill his destiny”-Stannis Baratheon

From the HBO Game of Thrones official synopsis: “Stannis confronts a troubling decision. Jon returns to the Wall. Mace visits the Iron Bank. Arya encounters someone from her past. Dany reluctantly oversees a traditional celebration of athleticism.”

Check out the official photos here!

The Dance of Dragons is written by showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and directed by David Nutter, who’s previously worked on four other Thrones episodes, including the infamous Rains of Castamere.  From the trailer and synopsis it looks like we’ll be jumping about quite a bit this week, to catch-up on all the ramifications from last week’s cracking episode!

Geoffery: The last two episodes have been the highlight of this season for me, and I really hope the quality continues.  Episode Nine is traditionally the Thrones biggie, but how are they gonna top that Hardhome battle sequence from last week?

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Geoffery

244 Comments

  2. Hopefully the EW Spoiler Room comes out soon and gives us a bit more insight on this episode!

  3. I agree, 5×07 and 5×08 have been fantastic. There were good episodes before them, but none on this level. I’m really stoked at the thought of the last two being just as good; I think Season 5 as a whole is going to have a stronger legacy in people’s minds if they can pull it off.

  4. “Episode Nine is traditionally the Thrones biggie, but how are they gonna top that Hardhome battle sequence from last week?”

    I really like the fact that they’ve thrown the usual episode-9-big-event trope away, making it even more unpredictable. That said, I think the next two episodes will likely have some Big Stuff happening (and I’m not yet counting out Dorne as being part of that, we shall see.)

  6. Kit Harington says this episode is as big as Hardhome and the last one is eve bigger. 😀 So it’s non-stop action till the end. Gosh, I am dreading the empty feeling when this season is over and the loooooong wait begins for S6.

  7. The preview doesn’t look that grand. So maybe it’s epic 8 & 10 this year instead? Then again the Rains of Castamere preview didn’t show anything that hinted at the RW, so who knows?
    https://youtu.be/69FD2bp71E4?list=PLdyYtz46NolZCtOwtQA3B8ftUu3b81rvA

    Dany riding away on Drogon should be very cool, but not super shocking either. I’m thinking something big will happen in the Winterfell or Stannis plot that either gets into TWOW material or changes up something from ADWD.

  9. Lots to still do:

    “For the Watch,”; Doran’s big James Bond-villain speech and — maybe — the reveal of Arianne, a not-dead Rhaenys or someone else; Stannis-Ramsay; the fate of Shireen; Dany flying away; Jorah: a) dying to protect Dany; b) getting crisped by Drogon; c) Drogon looking at him, doing a targeted burst of flame on Jorah’s arm, curing greyscale and then looking at mom like, “Really? You keep sending this one away? We want him to be our dad! But first, let’s go to Valyria and cure some more people!”
    the Walk of Shame; Varys returning – my guess is he kills the High Sparrow and blames it on the Lannisters, rather than killing Kevan and blaming the Tyrells; Sansa’s escape; Theon’s possible escape; Brienne helping Sansa, or accidentally hurting by killing Stannis and leaving Ramsay alive, and then Sansa chopping Littlefinger’s littlest finger off with a rusty spoon.

    Lot to get to.

  12. Okay a few things.

    Why is Jon leading his men & the free folk to the gate at Castle Black. Did they not make it to Eastwatch, lose their ships, disembark on the North side of the wall? Why not disembark at Eastwatch and march to Castle Black?
    I understand that it’s probably for dramatic effect.

    But now that Jon & co. are approaching from the north, what kind of signal does the watchmen give when he sees them? One blast or two?

    Of course this is all rendered moot as of now since we have pics of Jon in Castle Black.

  13. Can i just state how much i hate westeros.org and how much i wish for their site to get hacked and closed down ?

  14. Mel DEFINITELY sees something concerning to her in the flames. Squeeee!! Hopefully it’s her realization that she’s in the wrong place!

  15. WorfWWorfington,

    True. I thinking Brienne’s main purpose in the story is to get the sword formerly known as Ice back into a Stark’s (including Jon in this) hands. I think it’s important for the Others/Long Night battle. The revelation in the last episode that Valyrian steel can kill Others reinforced my opinion further. Once Ice/Oathkeeper gets to where it needs to go, I fear Brienne is expendable and Pod is even more expendable to the story.

  16. urangutan21:
    Can i just state how much i hate westeros.org and how much i wish for their site to get hacked and closed down ?

    That’s really over the top. I differ with many of the posters there on the show, but it’s still a great place to discuss the books and a good resource for GRRM quotes. It’s not like the members there (of which I am one) are evil. Settle down. If you don’t like the site, don’t visit it.

  17. I was wondering this also because if V just kills Kevan and Pycelle, whom have been lost in the shuffle of adaptation, then no viewers will understand the implications as they were built up in the novels. So I agree something similar but different will likely happen to parallel this bit for GOT

    And I’m no book purist but I just think it resonates much to kill off characters whom have been almost invisible in the show

  18. I’m stoked for all the Stannis stuff because I really have no idea of what they’re going to do with it, since there’s Ramsay’s attack and the whole Shireen dilema. Also do you guys think that

    Jon will send Ser Alliser Thorne away like in the books?

  19. WeirwoodTreeHugger,

    It would be the height of Game of Thrones for Stannis to fend off the two women in his life who want to burn his daughter, repel whatever Ramsay is doing, and then get killed by Brienne.

  20. urangutan21:
    Can i just state how much i hate westeros.org and how much i wish for their site to get hacked and closed down ?

    They are freaking out because, even with big deviations from the books, this season is very successful.

    They have enjoyed in “downfall” of the show in E4,5 and 6, but now things are great again.

    And also, there is no more books.

    You should pity them.

  21. WeirwoodTreeHugger,

    Jon has Longclaw with a White wolf on the holding end. I’m sure that will always be his sword. Oathkeeper will go to one of the stark children hopefully but not Jon.

  22. I don’t want Varys to kill Kevan, he’s one of my favourite minor characters, as well as Dolorous Edd.

  23. Reavers Wrath,

    V may indeed help fulfill Cersei’s ominous prophecy this season…especially since he knows the Red Keep’s inner passages well (and Tommen has conveniently locked himself in his room! No one has even seen him recently!)

  24. Reavers Wrath,

    There’s also the question as to whether Jonathan Pryce is a one-season guy. If he is, then I don’t think the Sparrow makes it to the end.

    Ep 10:
    * Olyvar recants testimony against Margaery and Loras, claiming Cersei threatened him.
    * Margaery visits Cersei, basically saying, “Nyah, nyah!”
    * Cersei, utterly defeated, cuts a deal. She’ll do whatever penance is required but won’t confess to incest (which would get Tommen thrown out as king and maybe even killed) She does the walk of shame.
    * Kevan is Hand, Mace is back, sans Meryn Trant, and references are made to Randyll Tarly and the rest of the Tyrell bannermen being done with all the bullshit and coming to town.
    * Varys kills Pycelle (we know enough about him to know that’s a loss) and then slips into the Sparrow’s chambers and does him too.

  29. WorfWWorfington,

    I really liked the part that I mentioned in the books mostly because Thorne says something like “I’ll be back one way or another”. And yeah I don’t imagine he’ll take part in FTW, even though his character has been shown to be an asshole since season 1.

  30. He has been around since day 1 I’ll grant you but he has lost all power and influence so I disagree that he would be much of a loss to the Lannisters.

    Q on the other hand……..

  31. The only thing I predict is that I don’t presume to know what the fuck happens, and I love it.

    Do hope for Jorahictarionnington though.

  33. urangutan21:
    Can i just state how much i hate westeros.org and how much i wish for their site to get hacked and closed down ?

    Who cares about them. Let them stew in their own hate. Eventually they will start to eat their own, just like hardhome in the books.

  34. Pigeon,

    So you think Jorah Mormonington will take on Vicatarion’s role also?
    I would be so happy if his arm is cured by a red priest 😀

  35. Reavers Wrath,

    Yeah… but if Varys kills Tommen, then we are in a whole ‘nother level of crazy. And that will also have the effect of amping up the Dorne plot for Season 6, because of Jaime and Myrcella.

    But at least Margaery, ahem, officially, consummated a marriage.

    Varys’ whole point is to cause trouble. Get rid of those that want to fix trouble, but keep those who want to cause it. So, I think Qyburn would be safe.

  37. Chekhov’sOlly,

    I still think it could be just as simple as dragonfire, or dragon blood, or some kind of dragon thing, curing greyscale. That would mean a whole ‘nother army is waiting for Dany down in Valyria, not to mention all the steel you can make once you get access to Valyria again…

  38. http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/32991103/the-most-disappointing-series-of-good-tv-shows

    I think the quote in that article from Maisie Williams means that Arya will be in episode 10 and not miss the finale as some people here have predicted. She says that the season has been ‘pretty damn slow’ for Arya but her ‘last two episodes are pretty sick’.

    Nothing ‘sick’ really happened with her in episode 8 so I think its safe to say that she will have some big moments in the next two episodes

  40. http://www.ew.com/article/2015/06/05/spoiler-room-orange-bones-game-of-thrones

    Get hype!

    “Let’s see… Dany presides over the grand opening of the fighting pits, with Ser Jorah among the gladiators, in a scene that includes a major sequence from GRRM’s books. Also, Jaime and Prince Doran have dinner, where the prince must decide Jaime’s fate. Oh, and Arya’s oyster girl disguise task takes an interesting turn.”

    Get ur hype caps back on cuz its happening…. In 2 days we shall see Dragon riding….

    Kay,

    This is going to be the greatest 3 episode stretch of any TV show ever

  41. mau: They are freaking out because, even with big deviations from the books, this season is very successful.

    They have enjoyed in “downfall” of the show in E4,5 and 6, but now things are great again.

    And also, there is no more books.

    You should pity them.

    Actually, E4 was the best of this season AFTER E7 and 8. E5 and 6 were pretty mediocre though. So far the show is still superior to the books.

  42. Chekhov’sOlly,

    Pigeon,

    Victarion is not the shell of a once proud man that allowed his life to be ruined by a woman that wanted another man and can’t get over it and thus ultimately lead to his demise like Sir Jorah………………………………..Oh wait. Dammit. Hybrid confirmed. At least the grayscale would help defend his hand if Jorictarington has to stop an incoming sword strike

  43. Hodor’s Bastard,

    Totally out of place. Tyrion can’t care less of Cersei right now. He already feel bad for the killing of his father. Even if he had a easy opportunity to kill Cersei , he won’t do it.

  44. WorfWWorfington,

    I only mentioned

    Q

    because he was the replacement for

    Pycelle

    on the high council. There is not really a character that has been built up enough to take on this role from the book epilogue imo, at least in the show, that would have the same impact which is why I like HodorsBastard’s theory even if he/she made it up just to F with me

  46. 3433,

    Sorry, but I find such an insult very rude and improper; couldn’t some Mod delete it?

  47. Pycelle has hardly been in it this season, or at least his presence hasn’t been noted.

  48. WorfWWorfington:
    Reavers Wrath,

    There’s also the question as to whether Jonathan Pryce is a one-season guy. If he is, then I don’t think the Sparrow makes it to the end.

    Ep 10:
    * Olyvar recants testimony against Margaery and Loras, claiming Cersei threatened him.
    * Margaery visits Cersei, basically saying, “Nyah, nyah!”
    * Cersei, utterly defeated, cuts a deal. She’ll do whatever penance is required but won’t confess to incest (which would get Tommen thrown out as king and maybe even killed)She does the walk of shame.
    * Kevan is Hand, Mace is back, sans Meryn Trant, and references are made to Randyll Tarly and the rest of the Tyrell bannermen being done with all the bullshit and coming to town.
    * Varys kills Pycelle (we know enough about him to know that’s a loss) and then slips into the Sparrow’s chambers and does him too.

    wait a minute ! Why would Tommen be killed? I mean it is not like he knew about it. So no reason for him to be killed Jamie and cersei would be only one executed.

  50. Something about the Dornish situation I’ve been thinking on.

    If, as some have been speculating Trystane is Aegon VI or Doran has him or another Targaryen in hiding. Doran might recruit Jaime to help restore him to the throne. Jaime would then adopt some parts of JonCon’s character. I think it would set up a nice redemption arc for Jaime especially once he swears off Cersei.

  51. HelloThere,

    These are really good news! I was getting preocupied that they would save that big moment for the begining of episode 10. So I guess we can assume the rating of the episode is wrong?

  54. Messy Justin Massey:
    3433,
    Sorry, but I find such an insult very rude and improper; couldn’t some Mod delete it?

    Though he was a little bit rough, it is true what he said. To be nicer than him I will just say that their IQ level isn’t that high.

  55. Joffrey’s Cunt,

    That, or maybe the action isn’t overly gorey.

    I doubt it considering the footage though. I expect to see Drogon chewing on some people as well

  56. Bloody Ice,

    I’m still waiting to see what kind of chemistry Jaime and Ellaria have. They’ve given her the Arianne role. No reason he can’t do some Oakhearting.

  57. WorfWWorfington:
    Bloody Ice,

    Messy Justin Massey,

    anca,

    He might be killed as an abomination unto the Seven. Or, they let him slink away into exile, or even join the Night’s Watch (now THAT would be funny!)

    It doesn’t end well for him, though.

    No way they can find him guilty of anything. He will die, but not because of “law”.

  58. HelloThere,

    Exactly, and we’ve seen on the promo

    Daario spilling some harpy blood and jorah fighting, I can’t believe that won’t be graphic… And yes drogon needs to eat some people seriously, that first scene with Viseryon an Raegal kinda forshadowed it a bit.

  59. 3433:
    WeirwoodTreeHugger,

    No, he is right. westeros.org is plain and simple brain dead retarded. The users on that forums, like 80% of them are pretty much retarded.

    Classy ableism you got there!

    Seriously. If you don’t like a site there’s the really easy option of not going there. Why do you even care what people on another site are saying? They aren’t arranging troll brigades and harassing people on other sites and the vast majority of the discussions there are about the books. Not the show. Wanting a site a hacked and closed down because there’s some obnoxious book purist opinions on there is just ridiculous. Its existence isn’t hurting anyone.

  60. HelloThere,

    Yeah i Think so too. Will hopefully beat the last 3 episodes of s4 which were an insane stretch of episodes. The last 3 of season 1 were sick as well. Eps 4, 5 and 6 of season 3 were quite a run as well, not necessarily with gamechanging events but just three really great episodes in a ros. And for different reasons i actually find the middle of season 2 to be very strong. The start was slow and episode 8 failed to provide the built up and sence of impending doom to episode 9 that other episode 8’s did. But the middle, starting with ‘what is dead may never die’ and ending with ‘a man without honor’ really had a lot going for them with Theon taking winterfell, Jon meeting ygritte and getting captured by wildlings, Tyrion working the court, catelyns visit to renlys camp and renlys death, stannis moving closer to his goal, aryas brutal arc from them getting captured by Lannisters and her serving Tywin to Jagn doing his thing, and I know I’m in the minority but I really enjoy Quath despite its somewhat soft climax. Within the four mentioned eps Dany from starving in the desert to entering that oasis of wealth and courtesy, to loosing her dragons to watching all members of the The Thirteen getting slaughtered by the creepy warlock. A very well-written run of episodes in my opinion, season 2 had more of a The Wire-approach than the others which were a great way to thorougly lay out the war and it’s different fractions and alliances. But of course The Mountain And the Viper, The Watchers on the wall and The Children remains the show’s most impressive series of episodes to date. But I too expect Hardhome, The Dance of Dragons and Mothers Mercy to exceed it.

  61. Messy Justin Massey:
    3433,

    Sorry, but I find such an insult very rude and improper; couldn’t some Mod delete it?

    It is certainly not very PC to use that word….many replace it with mentally challenged these days. I have seen that this site does allow quite a bit of a long leash for posting with each other.

    That said, I agree, it is a senseless and offensive post for many people. For others, no problem at all.

  62. Once the show passes the books does that mean the books become fan fiction?

    When that time comes we should all just go to westeros.org and post that GRRMs last 2 books are just fan fiction based on D&Ds show. Just to piss them all off.

    I kid. I kid.

  63. Frankly, I’m not okay with people using offensive language like that on this post, whatever anyone’s personal beef with westeros.org, this is not the place to be abusive towards them, or anyone.

    Keep it civil and happy folks, and remember to always tag your spoilers 🙂

  64. HelloThere:
    Joffrey’s Cunt,

    That, or maybe the action isn’t overly gorey.

    See, I don’t think my boy Drogon will be chewing on those Harpies. He’ll be so mad, he will crisp them like he happily did Kraznys in 3.04 (see BTS clip of 5.09 I posted in the pictures thread), and then he’ll be like, Mom, let’s go! So it’ll be all typical fantasy-type violence, Dracarys-style, not like the usual “time-honored traditional” Meereense fighting pit stuff with throats being slit, and people bleeding out and gutted and stuff (or flayed, or beheaded by other people).

  65. Kay:
    Kit Harington says this episode is as big as Hardhome and the last one is eve bigger. So it’s non-stop action till the end. Gosh, I am dreading the empty feeling when this season is over and the loooooong wait begins for S6.

    Well shooting of season 6 will begin soon and Kit as we can see has grown back that dreadfull curly girly hair and girly beard after he was allowed to trimm it a little with the end of the season 5 shooting.

    My point … Jon Snow is alive and expected on set for s6 filming.

  66. WeirwoodTreeHugger: That’s really over the top.I differ with many of the posters there on the show, but it’s still a great place to discuss the books and a good resource for GRRM quotes.It’s not like the members there (of which I am one) are evil.Settle down.If you don’t like the site, don’t visit it.

    WeirwoodTreeHugger: Classy ableism you got there!

    Seriously.If you don’t like a site there’s the really easy option of not going there.Why do you even care what people on another site are saying?They aren’t arranging troll brigades and harassing people on other sites and the vast majority of the discussions there are about the books.Not the show.Wanting a site a hacked and closed down because there’s some obnoxious book purist opinions on there is just ridiculous.Its existence isn’t hurting anyone.

    Thank you very much for these words, WeirwoodTreeHugger, I couldn’t agree more!

  68. Just popping to say that this week Beautiful Death is increidibly gorgeous and they should be put in a post when they appear.

    I’d like the Open Talk threads to be illustrated with the Beautiful Death from the previous episode since they pop up late in the week and the Open Talks are the last regular threads of the week.

  69. Hoyti Von Totiy,

    I expect the 1st episode of S6 to be light on “catching folks up” and continue at the pace left off at the end of the upcoming ep10. S6 should be slammin’ at the start, much like I expect TWoW to start, which will hopefully be out by April 2016,

  71. Arkash: Just popping to say that this week Beautiful Death is increidibly gorgeous and they should be put in a post when they appear.

    Does anyone know how to purchase or order those “Beautiful Death” posters? Can they even be purchased? I have one of them from the IMAX viewing but I would like the whole series!

    The beautiful death website is indeed awesome.

  72. Hoyti Von Totiy,

    Please stop it with the ‘curly girly hair’ comments, I don’t see your fixation with Kit’s hair. Does his ‘girly hair’ make you confused about your sexuality?

  74. Reavers Wrath,

    Exaaaaactly……

    Although, frankly I find Jorah the more mentally stable of the two. But hey, if they’re already combining….

    Nah, I’m just desperately grasping at any reason to believe I won’t have to take bereavement leave next week. BAH.

  75. A lot of interesting comments and vivid imagination’s, I hope most of which is right, it will mean two really good episodes. For my money this is what I think will happen.

    Oathkeeper has an appointment with Ramsay’s Bowels;
    Drogon fires a blast at Dany, who just walks through the flames (minus her gown) she then fixes Drogon with an Icy stare he bows his head and she mounts him and flies off.
    She then circles the arena before descending and blasting the Harpy to Hell.
    Dario kills Hizdahar……..and then leads the Unsullied and Second Sons to sack Merreen……
    Tyrion releases Visaron & Rhaghal, and as he is half Targarion is able to mount and fly one of them and fly away.
    Alister Thorne betrays Jon Snow, but Olly stabs him…
    Arya kills Merrin Trant.
    Aero Hotah kills Jamie Lanister……
    & Bronn gets to Shag Tyene…….
    And Finally Quburn discovers a cure for Gout, and sends the Mountain to Dorne to deliver it…
    Then we all wake up in season 6 only to discover the GRRM still hasn’t finished the next dam book…… oh well it was only a dream……..

  78. HelloThere,

    Yes we must! I think I’m going to watch the last 30 minutes of hardhome again for the 10th time already, it’s just too much hype until sunday

  83. Damn…

    Everytime I watch Jon kill that Other (White Walker, whatever you people choose to call it). I like him more and more.

    Jon has become my hero lol…

  84. Is the Beautiful Death artwork all by one private artist or a variety of artists from HBO’s art department? I was on the site and looked but didn’t see any info regarding the creation of these. They plunge right to the soul of the episode in a spectacular way. If it is a private artist, I’d like to know more about him/her, because this art is a sign of a true fan of Game of Thrones

  85. Are there anymore of you out there that were kind of neutral when it came to Jon Snow and now totally love him?

    Also, doesn’t everyone think Kit’s portrayal of Jon Snow is really paying off and shinning so well right now?

  87. Joffrey’s Cunt:
    HelloThere,

    Yes we must! I think I’m going to watch the last 30 minutes of hardhome again for the 10th time already, it’s just too much hype until sunday

    I have watched all the episodes at least that many times. With rerun season having started, I’d rather re-watch this than anything else.

    I hope you fans of Watchers on the Wall don’t bail after the 10th episode airs. I always find it hard to let go at the end of the season and I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who feels this way. If episodes 9 and 10 are as scorch-your-brain internet-breaking as they have been hinted at being, I guess we’ll all be back here tending our burns and getting our sanity back.

    This preview of episode nine is one of the most bland previews of an episode GoT has ever released. They certainly don’t want to give any of the action away ahead of time, do they?

  89. Reavers Wrath,
    When does the third question / answer on Cerceis prophecy get revealed? I would like it to be this season!

    I had forgotten all about it until I realized in the first episode that young Cercei only asked 2 questions in the flashback.

  90. EW has articles out on Peter D. and Emilia C. on their scene. Plus, some info. about what’s in the next two episodes.

    “Twitter is going to explode on Sunday because every character could suffer a horrible fate as the series shifts into perilous double-jeopardy overdrive with every story line rocked by a major shake-up.” Expect that Daenerys will preside over the opening of the Meereen fighting pits as Thrones has its epic Gladiator moment, that Cersei’s downfall will add another shock to the show’s list of most notorious scenes, that Sansa’s relationship with Ramsey will take a new turn, and that Brienne will finally have something to do this season other than wait around in the snow. It’s not just the last scene you have to worry about this year – it’s the whole hour, as Thrones reaches the end of author George R.R. Martin’s published material and finally leaves its audience wondering: What now?

    The Sansa stuff has me wondering what’s gonna happen….

  94. Kay:
    EW has articles out on Peter D. and Emilia C. on their scene. Plus, some info. about what’s in the next two episodes.

    The Sansa stuff has me wondering what’s gonna happen….

    That peace of metal she picked up is going to come into play i guess. I think she is going to try and escape with Reek and Brieene will help her in the proces.

  95. Love Stannis’ quote in the preview: “If a man knows what he is, he must fulfil his destiny.” Quite applicable to the journey that Dany and Jon will find themselves on at the end of the season.

    Hodor’s Bastard,

    Gorgeous work, particularly the current one. I checked the site and couldn’t find any information about purchasing.

    the serpent,

    Love your predictions. Hope some (but not all) of them are correct.

  97. Thronetender,

    Yeah I feel you man, completly. I think I will spend the all year rewatching seasons until season 6… Say what you will about season 5, slow or not, for me it has been full of great storylines and for me better than ever, even than season 4. So I just have to thank to D&D to have acomplished something that beautiful that makes us feel this way.

  98. Arthur:
    Are there anymore of you out there that were kind of neutral when it came to Jon Snow and now totally love him?

    Jon Snow was always a favorite of mine from the beginning, especially when he gave Arya Needle, and went to say good-bye to Bran even though Cat was giving him major stink eye.

    The character I wasn’t so sure of at the start was Dany, until she survived the funeral pyre and stood up with baby dragons curling around her (perfect) body. Excellent progression from abandoned Khaleesi to Queen, though she still has a lot to learn. If she rides off on Drogon, what happens to Tyrion?

    The guy I loved at the beginning and am way neutral about now is Jaime. Jaime, wtf? He could never be King, he wouldn’t even be good as an adviser to a King/Queen. As bad as Cersei was, I don’t think he could have done better. I think Bronn got right to the nub of Jaime’s thought processes when he said “hence, the golden hand.” Jaime seems to not be able to think 10 minutes ahead of himself.

    In the preview it shows Doran demanding his allegiance. Without knowing what the other terms are, it looks like allegiance is going to be Jaime and Myrcella’s only protection, even it means letting Cersei stew in prison for a while, but I don’t know if Jaime is smart enough to figure that out.

  101. So far
    Best episodes: Hardhome, The Gift, High Sparrow and Kill the Boy.
    Good: The House of Black and White, The Wars to Come.
    Dragged down a bit by Dorne: Unbowed, Unbent, Unbroken and Sons of the Harpy.

    it is going to end up a strong season overall.

  102. OMG this is the closest resemblance to my house when we were watching GoT last Sunday and we all screamed YESSS! When Jon killed the White Walker too!

    So funny, wonder how many millions of people were cheering at the same time last Sunday!

  104. Demonmonkey:
    WorfWWorfington,

    I didn’t think the incest she was accused of was brother-sister but rather cousin-cousin?
    That would keep Tommen safe.

    But Tommen was already accosted in the streets by common-folk calling him names at the steps of the Sept when he went to free Margaery. Which had to be a total shock to the sheltered sweetie. And Stannis’ main claim to the throne is that Cersei’s children are NOT Roberts. If the mob rises, especially with prodding from the High Sparrow or other outside interests (Olenna, Littlefinger) Tommen is dead.

  106. HelloThere,

    Looks like that also may confirm the speculation that that image of the Braavosi whore we’ve seen in the previews is Arya in disguise.

    And for everyone worried about the rating, it currently has the default rating that HBO gives all of it’s TVMA programs before they are properly rated and it may even air like that. Episode 6 a few weeks ago was also wrong and aired with the default rating. Episode 6 did have violence, not graphic but any form of violence even if it is mild always results in “violence” being listed in the content advisory and episode 6 aired without it.

    Despite what the rating may say Episode 9 will surely have not just violence but graphic violence in both the Ramsay attack and Danzak’s pit and also probably nudity in the brothel scene. Look at the barely there(and easily removable) outfit the Bravoosi prostitute has on that we have seen in the previews. The model/actress they cast for that part has done plenty of nudity and GoT is not the type of show to avoid nudity in a sequence like that. So the rating is certainly wrong.

  107. Thronetender,

    It’s some clever misdirection regarding Jaime and Doran in the trailer. I bet Doran is actually talking to Ellaria.

    Then again, it could be the show’s version of ‘sword or noose’, only with Jaime instead of Brienne. Jaime has to get out of Dorne eventually, but I can’t think of a scenario where Doran lets him.

  110. Thronetender,

    Jaime is plenty intelligent. The problem is that he is impulsive and doesn’t plan.

  111. Mr Fixit:

    Then again, it could be the show’s version of ‘sword or noose’

    Yes! I was wondering something similar.

    Interesting if Doran is indeed making this demand of Jaime (during his Fire&Blood speech, perhaps?). I expect a similar demand by LS of Jaime in TWoW.

  112. Demonmonkey:
    Reavers Wrath,
    When does the third question / answer on Cerceis prophecy get revealed? I would like it to be this season!

    I had forgotten all about it until I realized in the first episode that young Cercei only asked 2 questions in the flashback.

    Young Cersei asked 3 questions:

    1) I’ve been promised to the prince. When will we marry?
    2) But I will be queen?
    3) Will the king and I have children?

  113. Mr Fixit,

    Oh, you are right! It probably is Ellaria. Doran would certainly have to tamp her down, especially since his son, Trystane, seems to love Myrcella so much. It wouldn’t do to have the future queen chopped to pieces by a vengeful sort-of sister-in-law, or the Snakes.

    Then, that leaves Jaime with even less to do.

  114. Thronetender

    There’s been so much set up for Tommen’s legitimacy to rule to be a major question, maybe fatal for him. Apart from the references to him being a bastard, there was all the Rhaegar stuff. Even Littlefinger’s ‘a handsome young man’ comment to Olenna could have been a warning to the Tyrells that there’s a young Targ in Westeros since it was to do with information Cersei is unaware of. The Tyrell alliance with the Lannisters become more and more a liability to them.

  115. Simeon,

    I’ll have to watch it again. But there is more to it. I expect the show will bring that last bit out eventually.

  116. Demonmonkey:
    Simeon,

    I’ll have to watch it again. But there is more to it. I expect the show will bring that last bit out eventually.

    There’s more to it in the book, but we have no idea if there is more to it in the show.

  117. Thronetender,

    That fits with footage from an interview (think it was in spanish) shown before the season started that shows Ellaria kneeling at Doran’s feet with the sand snakes (possibly with their hands shackled) and Areo in the background.

  119. Mr Fixit,

    Yeah the “sword or noose” parallel was my first association as well. Which makes sense for recruiting Jaime for the Dornish cause/conspiracy/whatever Doran’s plan is. Although I do like your Ellaria idea too.

  121. I suspect that Jaime and Doran will have more respect for each other than is generally thought.

    I also think we will find out that either

    Dorne didn’t send that necklace at all, or that Ellaria did. Now THERE will be a reckoning. Jaime will also be getting a letter that goes unanswered. And Bronn is shown in the cells again in the trailer for a reason.

  122. Joffrey’s Cunt,

    Nutter: All I can say is that, with the scope and size of “Hardhome,” expect episodes 9 and 10 to be as compelling and rich and flavored. They’re quite wonderful, quite huge and quite powerful episodes. They’re quite something, David and Dan gave me gold to work with. We all did it together and made something quite special.

    Quite wonderful, quite huge, quite powerful, quite something, and quite special. Quite. As my ten year-old would say, “That actually sounds quite interesting.”

  123. OMG and this…

    Just go right to the 22min mark. All these YouTube reaction videos make me feel not like such a geek because damn, millions of people from around the world feel the same way I did, not just you clowns =P

    Anyway, 22min mark “That right there, is a fucking masterpiece of television”

    Couldn’t say it better myself dude.

  124. LordDavos:
    Arthur

    Jon has really owned this season.

    Yes, he certainly has. A lot for a young man to handle, both the character and the actor. He’s done an exceptional job.

    To whomever is snarking about his hair, his fans love it that way, to the point that it’s supposed to be in his contract that he can’t change it. With everything he’s had to handle this year, when did he have time to run to the barber? The barber at Castle Black probably got killed during the attack on the wall, anyway.

  125. Thronetender,

    All I know is if Jon Snow somehow ends up being Azor Ahai how badass would that be!

    http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Azor_Ahai

    Ok all us book readers and even hardcore TV fans know who Jon’s parents are and his bloodline. However, do we know WHEN he was born? Was he born on the same night as Dany? Could there be any crazy shit like that going on? Also, WHERE was he born? Hmmmm…

  126. Thronetender,

    And also, WTF!

    Now that I am loving Jon and he has become a full fledged badass Night’s Watch Commander, Leader, Warrior, White Walker and Other Slayer they are going to kill him off? I mean WTF, really? He better fucking comeback or I am really going to be pissed.

  127. trarecar: Mel DEFINITELY sees something concerning to her in the flames.Squeeee!!Hopefully it’s her realization that she’s in the wrong place!

    She probably sees the massacre at Hardhome.

  128. WeirwoodTreeHugger: I thinking Brienne’s main purpose in the story is to get the sword formerly known as Ice back into a Stark’s (including Jon in this) hands.

    Which means Jon will give Jorah his sword back.

  130. Demonmonkey:
    WorfWWorfington,
    I didn’t think the incest she was accused of was brother-sister but rather cousin-cousin?

    I think so, too, but that is really silly, if you think about it, because everybody and their cousin married their cousins in medieval times, especially the high born.

  132. ARTHUR

    Agreed – if they kill Jon, then five seasons of storyline have been for nothing. That would leave such a feeling of futility in the hearts and minds of fans like the ones here. I can’t see that happening, unless futility is exactly the seed that GRRM is sowing. That would leave a lot of disgruntled, disheartened people in the world. Their favorite show leaves the message that life is futile?

    LOL, I’m glad to know I wasn’t the only one screaming at the TV “Row, fuckers, ROW!” I would think they’d be rowing so fast they’d almost be going in circles. Maybe it was to show how mesmerized everyone was by the Night King’s power of “rebirth.” or Undeath.

    Question – if a wight, who has been undeathed once, is pulled apart or otherwise stopped, can they be reanimated a second or third time? If so, Westeros really is doomed. Maybe that’s why all the visions show a vacant, frozen Throne – all the living had to leave the continent and sail for Essos.

  133. Ginevra,

    Yes very true, to keep the wealth in the family.

    The Egyptians did it so much and so often a lot of them were retarded but they called them “touched” as in by the Gods. And was used as an excuse to worship them even more.

  134. LOL…

    I’ve been watching Hardhome on YouTube a lot today and I love, like we all do, when Jon slays the White Walker.

    But watching it makes me smile because sometimes I think there should be like a World of Warcraft noise of Jon Snow leveling up and a huge amount of XP flying up as he kills the White Walker.

    Its just so epic, someone who knows how to video edit well should do that lol…

  135. Kay posted this quote originally and then Hello There provided the link, but I wanted to repeat the quote and include the beginning because, if I’m reading this right, the EW article’s comment is NOT about this Sunday’s episode but about the finale episode. Presumably, the EW article refers to “this Sunday” because it won’t be in print until after the June 7th episode airs? Here is the full quote from the orange snippet on the final page of the EW article:

    HBO’s official description of Game of Thrones’ season 5 finale is a masterpiece of extreme understatement: “Stannis marches. Dany is surrounded by strangers. Jon is challenged. Cersei seeks forgiveness.” A more accurate description might be: “Twitter is going to explode on Sunday because every character could suffer a horrible fate as the series shifts into perilous double-jeopardy overdrive with every story line rocked by a major shake-up.” Expect that Daenerys will preside over the opening of the Meereen fighting pits as Thrones has its epic Gladiator moment, that Cersei’s downfall will add another shock to the show’s list of most notorious scenes, that Sansa’s relationship with Ramsey will take a new turn, and that Brienne will finally have something to do this season other than wait around in the snow. It’s not just the last scene you have to worry about this year – it’s the whole hour, as Thrones reaches the end of author George R.R. Martin’s published material and finally leaves its audience wondering: What now?

    So does this entire orange snippet is speaking of the finale episode, as strongly implied by the first sentence and quoted finale description?

  136. Arthur:
    Are there anymore of you out there that were kind of neutral when it came to Jon Snow and now totally love him?

    Also, doesn’t everyone think Kit’s portrayal of Jon Snow is really paying off and shinning so well right now?

    In my experience that’s a really common thing with Jon. I see it said with so many of my friends.

    I loved him from 1×01, myself. But it was a frustrating love. I have always identified with him the most out of all the primaries. A loner with a good eye for fitness and honor but with a family he’s had to make for himself rather than have made for him. I could go on. Suffice it to say he was my perspective conduit from the beginning and that never changed. And once I began reading ahead I was thrilled with the knowledge of what was to come. But so many viewers expressed distaste toward the slow, ever-brooding Jon of the first three seasons. He was such a late bloomer.

    From 2014 onward it has been a totally different deal. The adaptation has been far kinder to him and given him his just dues, and Mr. Harrington has in turn risen to a challenge many once believed him incapable of reaching. He’s a fan favorite and his reception both among my friends and on the net has taken a 180.

    I’m so proud. Lol.

  140. Ginevra,

    Good point. But u had to get a papal dispensation to marry your cousins. In theory at least. So not being married makes it inscest. And maybe she is being accused of sleeping w Jaime. If the fornication is a separate charge.

  141. Kay,

    of course! We are just debating whether or not its going to be in ep 9, and the ew spoiler room says yes!

  143. Kay,

    Nobody doubts Drogon will show up but some people are worried that the scene will end with a cliffhanger in episode 9 and the climax with Drogon’s arrival won’t happen till episode 10.

    Edit: Look’s like “HelloThere” beat me to it.

  144. I’m now on board with Mel

    peacing out on camp after her visions summon her back to CB- leaving Shireen unburnt. The theory I have been bouncing off my friends is that Greyscale may keep her from burning, but I am gradually backing off. I don’t see Stannis giving in to the red woman on this, but I don’t trust Selyse….. Nevertheless, I think Mel will see Snow in the flames and bounce. Can’t wait to see how this plays out. So many unknown variables with Greyscale!

    I think it would be some poetic justice if Brienne ends up killing Roose, maybe finishing him, after Sansa has nicked him and is making her escape. I fear for Brienne’s ultimate meeting with Stannis. Perhaps Sansa has already taken control of WF by the time Stannis arrives?? Perhaps Brienne, (now Sansa’s champion) convinces her to imprison Stannis? It may end up a woman’s world at WF. I feel like this storyline is already far enough out of sync with the books at this point that anything can happen.

    Cannot wait for Daznak’s Pit!

    STOKED!

  145. Ginevra,

    At first those EW quotes as proof the entire Daznak’s pit sequence would be in episode 9 but now in context those quotes seem to imply the opposite. We know Daznak’s pit will be in episode 9 but it may be a very brief introductory scene. With only 53 mins I honestly don’t see how they would fit all those other story lines and the entire epic Daznak’s sequence into episode 9.

  146. JamesL:
    HelloThere,
    Episode 6 a few weeks ago was also wrong and aired with the default rating. Episode 6 did have violence, not graphic but any form of violence even if it is mild always results in “violence” being listed in the content advisory and episode 6 aired without it.

    Actually, you wouldn’t put the V with the TV-MA rating unless you have “graphic violence,” as the ratings guide for MA shows. If the violence was only intense rather than graphic, that would be TV-14 V but not TV-MA V, and so they leave the V off in those instances. And the HBO schedule explicitly lists “graphic violence” whenever there’s a V with the MA, as we see in the Hardhome listing.

  147. Rygritte,

    Also, men in those conditions would not be wearing short hair. If nothing else, then they would want as much on their heads as possible to keep warm.

  148. Rygritte,

    That took me a minute, but you are right It would be cool if the two met, and he was able to give him his father’s sword

    But u had to get a papal dispensation to marry your cousins.

    Which was often easy to get if you were allied with that particular pope.

    Killing off Tommen would make it 0 and 3 for poor Margery! I can see it happening but not this season, I think.

  149. Arkash,

    Arkash: Just popping to say that this week Beautiful Death is increidibly gorgeous and they should be put in a post when they appear.

    A lot of those posters are gorgeous. I seriously wish I could buy a bunch of them as posters, but alas …

    I, too, would like to see these showcased on this website.

  150. JamesL,

    But this isn’t like the battle of castle black.
    The sequence without the conclusion would be weird and anticlimactic.
    53 minutes is a very long time, lol.
    Its gonna be in ep 9, the spoiler room has been correct all season

    (Im not gonna be upset by any means though if it turns out to be in 10)

  151. Sister Kisser:

    I think Mel will see Snow in the flames and bounce. Can’t wait to see how this plays out. So many unknown variables with Greyscale!

    Stannis will comtemplate burning Shireen and ultimately refuse. Later that night, Mel will seek R’holla & see something in the flames right before the tents go up in flames. The next morning, she’ll tell Stannis there might be another way and she must leave. Selyse will face plant in the snow because previously she saw the positive outcome for Stannis by burning Shireen in the flames and thinks that’s the only way to victory. Mel will go back to the Wall and face plant on Snow.

  152. HelloThere: We are just debating whether or not its going to be in ep 9,

    Well, the video link I posted specifically mentions Episode 9. But, debate on. I am bowing out, because the debate is not making much sense to me any more; I will know for sure this Sunday.

  153. JamesL,

    I can’t believe people are actually worried about THAT scene not being the closer for this episode. There is not a doubt in my mind it is happening. Quit worrying. It’s the ninth episode, and the only notable thing that happens in Daznak’s is

    Dany riding off on Drogon.

  155. Ginevra,

    Not true, many GoT episode have had “violence” listed, in fact almost all of them do and the episodes with very graphic stuff will have “graphic violence” listed. Episode 6 aired without the proper rating, it should have had “violence” listed but it aired with the generic default rating.

  157. The shot of Dany clapping and the camera panning out to reveal the entire pit…
    WOW!

  158. HelloThere,

    If the scanned EW “Saying Goodby to Season 5” snippet is actually discussing “The Dance of the Dragons” rather than “Mother’s Mercy,” then why lead by calling it the “finale” and with four sentences describing the finale, verbatim from HBO’s “Mother’s Mercy” description? I find it difficult to accept that EW would so carelessly mix up the two episodes.

    As far as the “Episode 9 Preview” is concerned, look at 16 to 17 seconds into the preview. My screen says, “The Final Two Episodes.” So, for me at least, this implies that everything after the 17 second mark in this video might appear in Episode 9 or might appear in Episode 10. The 5 second mark says, “Next on Game of Thrones.” So everything from 5 to 16 seconds is definitely Episode 9. And, call me crazy, but each thing we see after 17 seconds (the burning of Stannis’s camp, the destiny quote from Stannis, and Daznak’s Pit) could be something we don’t see until Episode 10. Why else spend two seconds saying, “The Final Two Episodes”?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=17&v=gfaS_YB9eCc

    The Spoiler Room article never explicitly says “next episode” but only “what’s coming next.”

  159. ash:
    Rygritte,
    Killing off Tommen would make it 0 and 3 for poor Margery! I can see it happening but not this season, I think.

    Granted this is a wild theory, but I kind of like it. Certainly, if the season closes with Tommen’s death, that would be a nice bookend to the season opening: Gold shall be their crowns and gold their shrouds.

  160. Ginevra,

    We will know in 2 days
    But common sense tells me that Daznak’s Pit w/o the ending is ridiculously pointless. Its episode 9!

    And almost all the episode 9 previews from past seasons have said “The final 2 episodes” and yet shown only footage from episode 9
    example: season 4 episode 9 preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGj-IwRMA7s
    There is only footage from watchers on the wall, but it has the statement “final 2 episodes” in it

    Similarly, the spoiler room has every week w/o fail given hints to ONLY whats coming in the next week.

  161. Here’s a question: Is there a chance that Tyrion (or even Danny) get a clue about the White Walkers and the “real threat” in this episode or any time soon?

    I mean, didn’t the old Bear himself clue Tyrion himself at the very beginning about the problems North of the Wall? And I’m not sure how much news makes it from Westeros to Mereen but there are people that travel back and forth between the continents – sailors, diplomats like Mace, etc.

    It’s kind of surprising that Davos was so quick to pick up on the threat but Tyrion wasn’t (though he may have had his hands full at the time – I don’t really remember the time line that well)

  164. Dolorous Methuselah,

    At the end of AFfC, eccentric Maester Marwyn from Oldtown speaks with Sam (who gets to study in Oldtown!!!!!!!) and Alleras the Sphinx about the Wall, and then he leaves promptly on a Meereen-bound ship. So, yes.

  166. Jesus, I can’t handle the hand-wringing over the big Daznak moment anymore. Can’t it just be Sunday night, so I can know one way or the other.

    Stop the torture…

    😀

  167. Dolorous Methuselah: I mean, didn’t the old Bear himself clue Tyrion himself at the very beginning about the problems North of the Wall?

    Tyrion made it pretty clear that he doesn’t believe in grumpkins, etc. It seems that the prevailing wisdom is that the White Walkers died out a long time ago: and more than a few people suspect that they are just stories. (Maester Luwin tells Bran that in Season 1.) Tyrion also makes it clear that he doesn’t regard the Wildlings as anything special: they just happen to have been on the “wrong” side of the Wall when it went up.

    For his part, Davos did not pick up on the White Walker threat: he picked up on the Wildling invasion threat. Melissandre seems to be aware of the White Walkers, or something akin to that: but she keeps some of her cards close to her chest.

  168. Wimsey,

    And Snarks!

    I think in the long (or hopefully not so long) run, Tyrion is smart enough that he’ll change his outlook.

  169. Arthur,

    Dany is crushed to hear that! After all your wait to see her

    ride a dragon

    you suddenly get a new hero in Jon Snow! 😛

  170. Dolorous Methuselah: Here’s a question: Is there a chance that Tyrion (or even Danny) get a clue about the White Walkers and the “real threat” in this episode or any time soon?

    This is a troubling question. The worlds of Westeros and Essos seem so totally separate as far as people are concerned. I am not even clear if the WWs are just a threat to Westeros or to the rest of the world as well. I mean, if the WWs took over Westeros, would they be able to cross the ocean water to invade Essos? Also, before Daeny or Tyrion get a clue, drop all their own problems and rush over to help with the WW threat, I would expect the rest of the Westerosi, like Cersei, Jaime, the Sparrows, Dorne, and especially Winterfell and the Northern folk, to get the a clue first. Yet the only people who seem to have a clue are a very few of the Watchers and of course, the people beyond the Wall.

    What is going on?

  173. Wimsey: (Maester Luwin tells Bran that in Season 1.)

    I’m sure Bran, BR and Leaf felt a disturbance in the force during the Hardhome massacre. The weirnet has witnessed much in the past multi-millennia and Bran is now a sponge. He will be a passive warrior (as will Sam with his reading). Perhaps if people take a moment to listen to the wind as it rustles through the trees, they may hear something that helps…

  174. Hodor’s Bastard: Perhaps if people take a moment to listen to the wind as it rustles through the trees, they may hear something that helps…

    Yeah like “Fuuuuuuuuuuuck zombies! Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!”. Some clues are subtle and need years of training to interpret, others not so much (sorry HB couldn’t resist) 😉

  175. Lulu’s Mum,

    Yeah, he may need to censor himself at times! Bran could probably pull off some incredible pranks with his warging ability and weirnet pokes, if he wanted to. 🙂

  176. Lulu’s Mum: Yeah like “fuuuuuuuuuuuck zombies! Aaaaaaaaahhhh!!!“. Some clues are subtle and need training to interpret, others not so much (sorry couldn’t resist)

    LOLOL OMG, I’m so glad you didn’t resist, that was a hearty laugh for me. Yep, that would do it.

  177. Kay,

    Agree! Can’t believe it is Ep 9 already! Please, powers-that-be, protect our little Shireen just two episodes longer…please!

  178. I don’t understand the comments that Ramsay will do a lot of damage. He has twenty men, it’s rather clearly an attempted assassination. If he fails in that regard, he could hardly have done any amount of damage to an army 4,000 strong. I don’t care how big a surprise jump the 20 men have, the most they could possibly kill is, what, 100? And that’s an outrageously generous gifting in body count.

    It will be absolutely absurd if the show depicts Ramsay’s guerrilla assault as actually having significant consequences for Stannis’ army—if they fail to kill Stannis.

  179. One last comment and I’m going to try and stay off here for a while. (yeah, right)

    Tormund said Jon was prettier than his two daughters – so where are the daughters? If they are anywhere else but on a boat, wouldn’t they be dead already or doomed? Tormund had tears in his eyes once he was on the boat pulling away from shore. But it never showed him actually reuniting with anyone. It was kind of an odd line to put in there.

    Back several episodes, when Stannis heard from Sam that dragonglass could kill WW, he said he knew what dragonglass was, there was a lot on Dragonstone. Don’t you think he would have sent a couple of guys back to Dragonstone to start collecting and shaping the stuff? It would have been a wise thing to do. Look at a map, Dragonstone is far away from Winterfell. If he didn’t have a head start on mining the stuff, half the north would be taken by the time they got a supply.

    Just another bit of energy spent in overthinking this stuff, because I’m so excited about the next 2 eps.

  180. Andrew,

    I still think it will be a classic sneak attack against the camp supplies to cause havoc among Stannis’ forces and force them to attack Winterfell before they’re ready and while they’re exhausted from marching. I also wonder if something does happen to Shireen later, if Mel will frame it as being no longer just about helping them win, but the only way for them to survive at all. (although I’m not sure how that would help them).

  181. Yeah Dance of the Dragons will be very nicely placed actually, because Hardhome has given a sense of the impending doom that is descending on Westeros and Wights overwhelming the Village and then it is immediately followed up by a Dragon torching Harpies en masse

    It will work well as a twin scene which is how the show seems to explore themes, eg they’ll probably set it up similar where the Harpies look set to overwhelm Dany + Unsullied ala the Wights so we think there’s going to be a replay and then BAM!

    Daznaks will be a great twin to Hardhome

    Thing is I actually think the Masters are like the Wildlings, they aren’t behind the Harpies at all despite what we’ve been made to think, eg Daario is like Ser Alliser who would kill them all (Harpies/Wildlings) but the reality is the Harpies are Ghiscari nationalists who want to resurrect the Ghiscari Empire and are opposed to the Masters as much as Dany and hate Dany not because she freed the Slaves but because of her Valyrian roots

    The Whore woman IMO is the “Mother” of the Harpies (Queen of the Harpies!), the equivalent of the Night’s King and a great “anti-Dany”

    Ultimately this might be where the episode as a twin to Hardhome gets its name, eg Jon is one Dragon doing his thing at Hardhome killing the WW and then Dany is the other doing her thing in Daznaks

  182. As for Stannis, seems we are getting the battle of the Ice Lake where it seems some ploy will go down

    Battle of Mereen is out which is fine if it means Hardhome this season and Battle of Winterfell next season with a great Daznaks put in BoM place

  183. Thronetender: LOLOL OMG, I’m so glad you didn’t resist, that was a hearty laugh for me. Yep, that would do it.

    You’re most welcome 😀 And talking of HH, someone on one of the recent threads thought Karsi (the awesome doomed Wildling) might be Tormund’s wife/partner/mother of his kids. They obviously know each other well, she said she “fucking hates Thenns” exactly the same way he did last series and she has two daughters. Plus in the preview for this ep

    when we see Jon (presumably at the north side of the wall seeking entry back into Castle Black with his new friends), I noticed Tormund on his left with what looks like two young girls – presumably the same ones as we haven’t seen any others – standing to his (T’s) immediate left. It might be coincidence or he feels responsible for this friend’s children, but if they are his and their mother is gone his fatherly protection instinct might kick in big time?

    Andrew,
    Potential show-only spoiler
    In one of the recent threads someone posted a shot from the trailer for this ep which goes by so fast most people didn’t notice it.

    It’s a group of tents at night on fire, but the fires (about 6 or 7 of them) are all in totally different places which certainly suggests arson rather than an accident. The thinking in that thread is Ramsay and his gang start simultaneous fires and take out whoever they can in the ensuing panic. I think the fires were all on the outskirts of the camp too which both avoids detection when starting them and blocks exit routes for those in the centre of the group (who may well be the most important, as that would logically be perceived as the safest part of the camp I would have thought). Everything’s on fire, in the dark, people were presumably mostly asleep, utter chaos. If that’s his strategy – it’s by no means certain but looks like a definite possibility – it is one of real evil genius IMO. Much as I hate him, I have to admire it. If he pulls it off it could kill a huge number of men with fairly limited danger for him or his motley crew.

  184. Arthur,

    Jon,Dany,Cersei,Sansa are the best this season.Hands down.

    Glad you like Jon’s characters.He’s up there with Dany,Arya,Stannis,Davos and many others.Much better material for Kit and he delivered truly wonderful performances.I give up on him,after S03,but he’s totally different guy right now.

    I liked his last scene in Hardhome and his stare with Night’s King.So many expressions anger,frustration,despair,hopelessness all in one.

    Don’t worry too much,because as Sam said himself.He’ll be back.

  185. ash:

    Killing off Tommen would make it 0 and 3 for poor Margery! I can see it happening but not this season, I think.

    The ultimate test for our Patchface. Will his info turn out to be correct?

  186. I went to winteriscomin.net, and I want to say that it’s ridiculous how bad that site is. I mean the writers create one of the most stupid GOT’s articles I ever seen on internet. Also the writers seems to be book purist and secretly defame the tv show. Did anyone how notice how winteriscoming.net writers are books purists?

  187. doran,

    Yeah,another shitty site that needs to be wiped out . BTW does anybody find it suspicious that just 1 month ago they barely had comments that passed the 10th mark,yet now all of a sudden even that shitty WIC Live show that they do has over 100 comments,that’s a pretty sudden growth of the site out of nowhere don’t you think ?

  188. Also i will say this about westeros.org,they existed before the show and it’s a site mainly about the books,WIC however claims to be one of the biggest news site about GOT,they obviously aren’t the biggest anymore,and they constantly sublte trash the show which makes me wonder why don’t they just close it down besides obviously only caring for the page views . Anyway end of rant,just sad what happened to what used to be the news site about GOT,one that i followed religiously just like i follow this one .

  189. Kay: y

    No, they can’t. It was made clear in both tv show and books that they can’t.

    1.White walkers are creatures of winter…. they only come when winter is there…. even more…. when the long night is happening and winter is worse than a normal winter. So yeah, it’s safe to assume that they cannot survive to other seasons except winter.

    2.Essos has another climate.

    3.There are seas between those continents.

  190. Quite funny at the end of episode 8. When they run to the boat at the end, the guy already sitting there has his back turned to the battle that rages 10 meters behind him and he looks like he is bored out of his mind with nothing to do. As if he doesn’t know what is going on, lol.

    Well maybe he was a blind and deaf guy.

  191. Andrew,

    He can do a lot of damage. And use fire arrows to the tent on fire. Kill a bunch of horses and so on. Napoleon’s march back home was devastated by a peasant groups attacking in sneak attacks.

    And Ramsay could try to attempt to assassinate Stannis. I mean, it’s just a camp, it’s not Fort Knox he’s trying to break into. I could also see Ramsay using his men as diversionary tactics.

  192. I’m expecting great things from Melisandre in these last 2 episodes. We were promised a great season for that character but again, it’s been too much Cersei, too little Mel. I’m sick of it. This is GRRM’s best character creation ever and she needs to drive some storyline for once.

  193. Ashara D:
    Kay,

    Agree! Can’t believe it is Ep 9 already! Please, powers-that-be, protect our little Shireen just two episodes longer…please!

    Yes, yes, yes. As the show airs in the USA before I can get to see it (in the UK) this is one time when I am considering breaking my own rules and looking on WotW on Monday morning to see if anything has happened to Shireen before I actually steel myself to watch the episode.

  195. Jeff O’Connor: I loved him from 1×01, myself. But it was a frustrating love. I have always identified with him the most out of all the primaries. A loner with a good eye for fitness and honor but with a family he’s had to make for himself rather than have made for him. I could go on. Suffice it to say he was my perspective conduit from the beginning and that never changed. And once I began reading ahead I was thrilled with the knowledge of what was to come. But so many viewers expressed distaste toward the slow, ever-brooding Jon of the first three seasons. He was such a late bloomer.
    From 2014 onward it has been a totally different deal. The adaptation has been far kinder to him and given him his just dues, and Mr. Harrington has in turn risen to a challenge many once believed him incapable of reaching. He’s a fan favorite and his reception both among my friends and on the net has taken a 180.

    I agree wholeheartedly with Jon being a perspective conduit. I am a woman and have always found his chapters to be extremely relatable on a human level, maybe more so even than Dany’s (I don’t hate her, btw). The moment when Jon gave Arya Needle was what made me take an interest in him and the virgin dialogue between him and Sam sealed the deal in season 1. Reading the books followed and reading all the fan theories after that got me even more interested in what Jon’s spiritual quest might be.

    It is indeed frustrating to be a Jon Snow TV and book fan. Some people I know grew bored with him and whined every time he came onto the screen. Season one was great to watch Kit. 2-3 was good to nightmarish but with one or two standout moments. The speech to Ygritte about the wildlings trying and failing to attack the Wall comes to mind. 4 was great again from the get-go when Jon stands up to Janos in episode 1. Craster’s Keep was debatable. He fought and said too little again, but then Ghost comes and “I’ve missed you boy.” was great. And then season 5 with stand-out moments too numerous to mention here.

    The true poignancy about Jon surviving will be about him coming back to grapple with his true identity, if he finds this out via Bran and the Weirnet, and to what extent he will embrace this new identity. Will Jon ride a dragon? I don’t know. Will he meet Dany? I hope so, even if it is just to see what they will make of each other. Is he the King? I believe so, but he will not necessarily take the IT.

  196. There are a very few certain things in this world:

    1) Olly is planning FTW (or a variation with different words);
    2) the guy who insults Kit Harington’s hair every damn time will be commenting in each WOTW article.

  198. Wimsey:
    Rygritte,

    Also, men in those conditions would not be wearing short hair.If nothing else, then they would want as much on their heads as possible to keep warm.

    Tell that to Stannis, Davos, all the Thenns, Ramsey, Roose Bolton, and everyone else who doesn´t have a dead rotting cruly animal on their head. :/

  199. I just checked Sons of the Harpy and this is the rating
    “TVMA: Adult Content, Adult Language, Nudity, Violence”
    even house of black and white just lists “violence”

    It says Violence, not Graphic Violence.
    This mans that the rating for episode 9 is wrong, we know it at least has violence 🙂

  200. Wimsey,

    I must say I always understood Tyrion’s words and his actions concerning the wall rather different and even contradicting. He did openly doubt that Gumpkins, Snarks etc exist but at the same time he provided the NW with plenty of new recruits. So I always understood it such, that he participated in the open ridicule about it at court in order not to be laughed at himself for believing the NW while actually helping them.

    Anyway, whether he is aware of the WW thread or not is probably not too relevant as soon the news will spread inevitably.

  201. As I suspected…

    The episode will touch base with a scene of Jon returning to Castle Black, some hostility, Aliser maybe refusing initially to open the tunnel, an obvious close up of Ollie scowling at Jon, and finally being let in. And possibly a second with Sam discussing the Valyrian Steel, telling him Aemon is dead, and suggesting Sam go to Old Town to research the locations of Valyrian Steel weapons etc.

    And that will be it from him for Episode 9.

    Ep. 10 will feature Sam and Gilly leaving, more hostility, Mellisandre returning to Castle Black, and finally FTW.

  202. Ser Matt the Sullen:

    Ep. 10 will feature Sam and Gilly leaving, more hostility, Mellisandre returning to Castle Black, and finally FTW.

    Something has to “trigger” FTW, something has to push Olly over the edge.
    Wildlings are already south of the wall so it has to be something else.

  203. Hollywood Reporter:

    “Sunday’s episode will feature an epic gladiatorial match in which Jorah (Iain Glen) hopes to prove his devotion to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke), who in the previous episode banished him once again.”

    “”The stunt guys on that show were so excited about what was coming up,” says Cilenti, whose character enslaved Tyrion and Jorah earlier this season. “It’s something they’d been working on and choreographing for months.”

  204. Balon01:
    “”The stunt guys on that show were so excited about what was coming up,” says Cilenti, whose character enslaved Tyrion and Jorah earlier this season. “It’s something they’d been working on and choreographing for months.”

    I favor good ole fashioned aggresion and striking to kill even if it isnt flashy.

    Overly choreographed fights seem like dancing to me they just look fake.

  205. What is the Night’s Watch attitude to Melisandre? As a very attractive woman, will she be safe to return there alone? Are they frightened of her? Won’t she have made an enemy of the Wildlings after burning their leader? So many interesting possibilities for her. I’m excited for her story to part ways with Stannis for a while. In the books, Mel’s magical powers increase at the Wall. Will Stannis send a guard with her? I suspect that shot of Selyse looking forlorn on the ground is when she finds out Mel is leaving them.

  206. Acccchhh creepy trolls everywhere, always thinking they know something, trying to make life miserable for somebody. What a chore to have to get beyond them all the time, but get beyond you must. Luckily, the asses are easy to out.

    Dude, if you don’t like a site, stay off it, but quit trying to drum up support for your animosity in a place where you were already told not to do it. Maybe the other sites are busier because so many people are so excited about the show they need someplace to express themselves. Who cares?

    Selyse isn’t one to throw herself to the ground in emotion. Maybe Ramsay’s men got her.

    One more day until episode time. I can just imagine how many new people will be inspired to comment after these next two. All the sites are going to be pulsing.

  210. ubz: 2.Essos has another climate.

    3.There are seas between those continents.

    Yes, that was my understanding from the last episode and the WWs and Wights stopping at the edge of the water at Hardhome, that they would not be able to cross the water into Essos. So this means the Essosi don’t need to worry about Winter. It’s all the people in Westeros who should be scared to death about what is coming, but seemingly are not. Including people who are pretty far up North like Stannis, Boltons, etc.

  212. urangutan21,

    I agree with you on WIC. It’s a place for fans who love to hate the show. Can’t stand reading those hateful posts. Tho I do still read the speculation posts. Just don’t read the comments.

  216. I’m terrified that Ramsay is going to somehow bring harm to Shireen, if Mel doesn’t sacrifice her first. The burning tents do not bode well for the Baratheon camp. Maybe Ramsay only needed 20 good men because he wanted a small raiding party to ambush the camp, kidnap Shireen and force Stannis to yield or be forced to watch his daughter flayed alive. Mel will probably attempt to sacrifice Shireen before that happens.

    It’s a horrible to think about but I have been worried about Shireen’s fate since Red Velvet told Stannis at the end of season 2, “you will betray the men serving you, you will betray your family, you will betray everything you once held dear, and it will all be worth it.” My fear for Shireen intensified last season when Mel told Selyse that “the Lord needs” Shireen. I am going to be really devastated if poor Shireen is harmed. I’m pretty sure it’s inevitable that Shireen isn’t long for this world. It’s going to be horrifying when something bad happens to her. 🙁 Poor Shireen.

  219. Keelin,

    I really like Stannis, he is a hardass but he has always done what is right (besides shit that Mel has asked him to do).

    He is the rightful king (until Dany comes back).

    However, if he harms his daughter in any way I will lose all respect for him. There are some things a person can do that is unforgivable.

  224. Can’t believe if most people are stupid, or just pretending to be… The person whom Arya encounters from her past is Sir Meryn Trant. He was ordered by Cersei to take Mace Tyrrell to Bravoos, to settle the the kingdom’s debt. Plus, he killed her teacher, and it’s one of the names she whispers to herself. THE HOUND IS DEAD PEOPLE !!!

  225. Alamdar Raza,

    I’m not sure if you’re confusing Meryn Trant with The Hound in your post. While I agree with you about Trant, I’m coming around to the theory that the “Hound” (f/k/a) lives. The specific show reference to Arya’s (unsuccessful) attempts to lie to Jaqen about hating him (a Chekovian gun, perhaps?), plus every fan’s desire to see brotherly revenge exacted against Qyburn’s opus – (“Come up to the lab and see what’s on the slab”) give me hope that Rory McCann will ride again.

  226. Wimsey,

    And now Tyrion has witnessed the largest Dragon in flight. My guess is that the next he hears of the existence of white walkers he will take it more seriously

  227. are people still talking about there will be no dragon scenes based on the rating ..

    somehow i feel like people consider one thing which may be a mistake and completely ignore other evidence that are saying otherwise

    glad i was out for a couple of days …cant wait for episode

    only 21 hours left before we know what happens and a moment i have been waiting for four years now finally on screen

  229. Just seen a YouTube vid of tormund shaving his beard… Is this a bad sign?! Surely if he was going to die it would’ve been last week.

  230. Archmaester,

    Did you actually watch the video? It’s a joke video in which he says he will shave his beard… and then cuts a single hair.

  234. HelloThere,

    i dont care about the whip that much because i dont see her holding any whip in those leaked photos but i would love to see her taking the spear from his wing and throw out then tames him and climbs ..

    all i want is the scene to look as much dany taking control and saving the lives of Drogon and others …not drogon saving dany and others ..

    and seeing the Sons of harpies holding spears in their hand when they got burned …it makes me hopeful we will get the spear thing

  236. Archmaester,

    Watch it, please. It’s hilarious.

    HelloThere,

    Bit kinky, are we?

    Now, seriously. It may depend on how they want to play it. If they do the whip or something similar, it will enforce the idea of Dany treating her dragons as animals instead of children with which she has a strong emotional connection. Which is fine in the books, in the context of that moment… but, since the show doesn’t allow us into Dany’s thoughts, it may be better if they do something a little more directly eerie, just Dany and Drogon looking at each other, and Dany calming him with her voice and hand. We’ll see. So soon, too!

    I predict some people will be disapointed by the scene, especially those who have been waiting to see it for years. Not unlike the Janos execution, which was perfectly executed (no pun intended) but people complained because Jon didn’t utter a specific sentence.

  237. Luka Nieto,

    you have made a very good point and

    thats exactly why i want the stare down and her removing spear from drogon’s wing more than the whip …

  238. Luka Nieto,

    I agree. Especially after her tender scene w/ Drogon in ep 2.
    The whip would make her seem cruel in the context of the show.

  240. Quick heads up (so people can get their raging out of the way early):

    Shireen burns this episode and it’s at her request as a last resort after Ramsay’s attack cuts off the supply lines and weakens Stannis’ army further. Davos is sent to the Wall to try and get reinforcements before this so he’s not there to stop it even though he asks Stannis to allow him to take Shireen with him.

  241. King Tommen,

    Sue asked us not to discuss leaked information.

    Not that I automatically believe it, though. There’s some iffy information in that summary.

  243. Ok, I was laying in bed last night and the end of Season 10 hit me like a ton of bricks. I so hope this is how it goes down and if it does it will blow everyone’s mind.

    FTW will happen. Not sure if Mel will be there or not but it doesn’t matter. They will burn his body just like Aemon with his sword with him. Either the next morning or later that day the fire will awaken him as the Prince that was promised and Longclaw will be on fire. It will be reminiscent to how S1 ended with the fire waking the dragons and Dany.

    Thoughts?

  244. Rygritte:
    Keelin,

    How would Ramsey know Shireen is there?

    I have no idea. Maybe a turncloak in the army of Stannis sent a raven? My speculation was incorrect, it seems. But they’ve been foreshadowing Shireen in the fire since Season 2 Ep 10.

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